An overabundance of mast cells, that are vital elements of the immune system and are produced within the bone marrow, can result in a wide range of well being points.
Pankit Vachhani, M.D.The College of Alabama at Birmingham has been designated a Heart of Excellence by the American Initiative in Mast Cell Ailments Community. Mast cells are produced within the bone marrow and are an vital a part of the immune system. Mast cell ailments, similar to mastocytosis, happen from an overabundance or overactivity of mast cells within the bone marrow and different organs.
The UAB Drugs MPN and Mastocytosis clinic, positioned within the Kirklin Clinic and the primary of its sort within the Southeast, treats mast cell ailments. It’s a part of the O’Neal Complete Most cancers Heart, within the Marnix E. Heersink Faculty of Drugs.
“The designation is the very best bestowed by AIM and requires assembly many stringent standards, together with experience in a number of medical specialties serving mast cell issues and mastocytosis,” stated Pankit Vachhani, M.D., assistant professor within the UAB Division of Drugs, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and director of the clinic. “Our clinic presents multidisciplinary experience with illustration from pathology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and allergy/immunology, together with hematology/oncology, within the remedy of mast cell issues.”
Vachhani says the UAB clinic is enrolling sufferers in practice-changing medical trials of promising drugs, is engaged in academic packages, and is the referral website of alternative for sufferers from throughout the Southeast. Sufferers are managed by a crew of specialists, together with doctor specialists, nurse practitioners and pharmacists.
Mastocytosis is a uncommon situation attributable to an extra variety of clonal mast cells gathering within the physique’s tissues, such because the pores and skin, inside organs and bones. An irregular variety of mast cells within the tissue can result in an elevated danger of a extreme and life-threatening allergic response referred to as anaphylaxis. Moreover, sufferers can have indicators and signs spanning varied totally different organ programs and a diminished high quality of life.
The clinic additionally sees sufferers with myeloproliferative neoplasms, a gaggle of associated ailments the place the bone marrow makes too many crimson blood cells, platelets or sure white blood cells. MPN may cause bleeding or clotting issues, anemia, an infection, fatigue, and enlarged spleen and may result in sure kinds of leukemia.
Sufferers involved in extra data on the UAB MPN and Mastocytosis Clinic can name 205-801-9034.
